PHOTOS: Themed Lanterns Hung at Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana,’ Cool Wash Ground Paved at EPCOT

Shannen Ace

PHOTOS: Themed Lanterns Hung at Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana,’ Cool Wash Ground Paved at EPCOT

Construction never seems to stop at EPCOT, so let’s take a look at all the various construction projects visible from the Monorail loop.

Cool Wash

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In World Discovery, Cool Wash remains closed and under construction. But the ground within the station has been paved since our last construction update.

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In October, a sign was installed renaming Cool Wash to “Refreshment Station,” but the sign was removed soon after.

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Some plastic is wrapped around the front columns of the station to keep the decorations protected during construction.

World Celebration & CommuniCore Hall

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Just behind the construction walls in front of Connections Cafe are trees that were planted late last year.

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Around the trees are construction materials and poles sticking out of the ground.

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Behind Expression Section, a large wall with a wooden frame has been constructed.

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CommuniCore Hall is being erected near the center of World Celebration, across from Creations Shop and behind Spaceship Earth.

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The building is not yet enclosed, giving us a view of several columns of steel inside.

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Crew members in cherry pickers are working on various sections of the building’s interior.

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A circle of concrete is in the ground next to CommuniCore Hall. Some of the ground next to this circle has been paved.

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A few crew members were moving materials around this area.

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Poles or pipes stick out of the circle.

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Nearby, a crew member was cutting wood as we passed.

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In addition to CommuniCore Hall, World Celebration will also house CommuniCore Plaza and several gardens.

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The name CommuniCore is a reference to two pavilions that were part of EPCOT on opening day. They were later reimagined into Innoventions, before eventually being demolished. The new CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will serve as a multi-functional space that will be used during the park’s various festivals. The hall will be home to a Mickey & Friends meet and greet, a demo kitchen, a mixology bar, a gallery space, and more.

World Nature & Journey of Water

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These World Nature restrooms closed in April 2022. The tiles on the wall of the entrance were torn out and surprisingly, a wall with one door now blocks the entrance.

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The restrooms are next to Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana,” which has come a long way in the past few months. Themed canopies now shade part of the sidewalk and some lanterns have been added to the tree-like posts.

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The posts have curved branches at their tops. They were previously wrapped in protective plastic.

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The wicker lanterns are rounded with red stripes.

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Palm trees and other plants have also been added to the attraction, starting to block the Te Fiti statue from view.

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A wire frame shows us where a sidewalk will soon be paved.

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Some of the lampposts remain wrapped in plastic until they’re ready to be completed.

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The concrete wall behind the main rock structure is still exposed. This is where guests will enter the attraction, immediately seeing the swirl symbol of Te Fiti with water running over it.

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The fake rocks are decorated with moss and small flowers.

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These two awnings cover stations for the water features of Journey of Water Inspired by “Moana.”

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Behind Journey of Water is a sidewalk leading to a courtyard directly behind Spaceship Earth.

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This is approximately where Dreamer’s Point with a new Walt Disney statue will be.

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What are you most looking forward to opening at EPCOT? Let us know in the comments!

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1 thought on “PHOTOS: Themed Lanterns Hung at Journey of Water Inspired by ‘Moana,’ Cool Wash Ground Paved at EPCOT”

  1. So underwhelming for such a long time coming. How long has Epcot been going through this current renovation? Gotta be a couple of decades by now. Why can’t they ever finish anything?

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